The idea of community involvement in urban planning is not new. Current theory of community participation suggests that residents are excluded from community development process. Today’s world requires more local involvement in the planning and management of cities and this demand is increasing more everyday. It is commonly acknowledged that this bottom-up approach is the only way that people will get the surroundings they want and it is the best way of ensuring safer, stronger, wealthier and more sustainable communities. Such an inclusive urban planning approach has spread all around the world quickly and has been in practice mainly for social integration and equality.

Smart City is a recent theory in urban planning that we are going to be hearing a lot more in the coming years. Smart Cities are not a theory for the future anymore. They are here, happening and developing quickly.

A well-designed planning process is one of the founding stones of efficient urban governance. Especially due to recent developments in planning theory leading to the predominance of strategic planning, the connection between planning practice and urban governance has become more important than ever.